A new species of Anaeomorpha from Ecuador

[deliasfanatic]

The formerly monotypic genus Anaeomorpha, comprising the striking species splendida (itself containing the subspecies esmeralda) has been expanded to include a new species, mirifica, from West Ecuador.

Here's a link to the open-access paper, published on 26 May 2017:

digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/1045/

The species is described from only one specimen, but DNA research has given the authors reason to give it species status, rather than describing it as another subspecies of splendida. The paper is interesting and includes good illustrations.

[Deleted]

Can't see any pictures on the link Danny.

[deliasfanatic]

The opening page only has titles and abstract - click the "download" button on the right side of the page.

[Deleted]

Opened it on my computer instead of my tablet, that worked. I've often wondered why splendida is so rarely for sale, I have esmerelda and splendida, it seems esmerelda is VERY local.

[deliasfanatic]

It used to be a species of the greatest rarity; nowadays since so much collecting is done in Peru, populations have been discovered in the past 10 years or so. I see males offered regularly (if only one here and there), but the first female was only discovered a few years ago and is still an extreme rarity; I've seen 2 or 3 for sale. It's quite strikingly different from the male; larger and much rounder, looking more like a Prepona.